Admire giant Bryde's whales hunting in Nhon Ly sea

Early in the morning of July 6, photographer Nguyen Ngoc Thien (37 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) and a group of photographers followed a fishing boat leaving the shore, entering the waters of Nhon Ly, Quy Nhon, where there was a rumor of a Bryde's whale (locals call it

At around 5:30 a.m., swallows filled the sky, signaling a school of fish below. The group approached this sea area in the hope that the whale would not be far away.

At around 5:30 a.m., swallows filled the sky, signaling a fish run below. The group approached this sea area in the hope that the whale would not be far away. Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Thien

The calm sea suddenly erupted with a white column of water and a distinctive hissing sound, the Bryde's whale had appeared.

The calm sea suddenly erupted with a white column of water and a distinctive hissing sound, the Bryde's whale had appeared. Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Thien

Bryde's whales surface, circle, and snatch at schools of small fish that have gathered near the shore.

Bryde's whales surface, circle, and snap up schools of small fish gathering near the shore. Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Thien

The Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei) is a species of whale in the family Porpoise, which feeds on schooling fish such as anchovies, herring, and sardines.

Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei) is a species of whale in the family Basidiophoridae, which usually feeds on schooling fish such as anchovies, herring and sardines. Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Thien

They are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters, including a smaller subspecies (the dwarf species) that lives in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia.

They are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical seas, including a smaller subspecies (dwarf) that lives in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia. Adult Bryde's whales are about 12-14m long, females can reach a maximum length of 15.5m, weighing 12-16 tons. Their average lifespan is about 50-60 years, with some individuals living up to 70 years. Photo: Nguyen Ngoc Thien

Photographer takes photo of giant whale from a distance. The giant whale is quite wary of the presence of boats.